List building system

ABSTRACT

A system implementable using a programmable processor includes a plurality of pre-stored commands for building an inventory of audio, musical, works or audio/visual works, such as music videos. A plurality of works can be collected together in a list for purposes of establishing a play or a presentation sequence. The list can be visually displayed and edited. A plurality of lists can be stored for subsequent retrieval. A selected list can be retrieved and executed. Upon execution, the works of the list are presented sequentially either audibly or visually. The works can be read locally from a source, such as a CD, or can be obtained, via wireless transmission, from a remote inventory. If desired, establishment of a predetermined credit can be a pre-condition to being able to add items to the list for presentation.

This is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/841,374,filed on May 7, 2004 now abandoned, which is a continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 09/770,882 filed on Jan. 26, 2001, now U.S.Pat. No. 6,763,345 issued Jun. 14, 2004, which is a continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 08/859,995 filed on May 21, 1997, now U.S.Pat. No. 6,243,725 issued Jun. 5, 2001.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention pertains to software driven systems and methods fordeveloping audio/video sequences. More particularly, the inventionpertains to such system and methods wherein a user can create aneditable list of works which can be presented.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

With the advent of CDs a wide variety of music, music videos or videosequences are conveniently available for a user in a non-analog, digitalformat. The advantages of digital recording of both audio and video havebeen recognized and are to a great extent realized with the readyavailability of pre-recorded CDs.

While convenient, pre-recorded CDs present a problem to a user in thatwhile it is possible to select sequentially between the pre-recordedworks on a given CD, to switch to another artist or group it isnecessary to have multiple drives available or to remove one CD andinsert another at the appropriate time. While possible, sucharrangements are at the very least inconvenient. In addition, because ofthe delays inherent in switching from one CD to another, the audio orvideo output might be lost for an undesirably long period of timethereby detracting from the ambiance afforded by the performance. Inaddition, listeners at times are only interested in one or two of thetracks on a CD in a given situation.

There thus continues to be a need for systems and methods which willmake it possible to combine works by a variety of performers or artistsin a relatively arbitrary fashion and to present those works in a givensequence in a fashion that is convenient but which at the same time iscost effective. It would also be desirable to be able to use widelyavailable personal computers as control elements in such systems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A system and a method of arranging media elements for later replay makeit possible to create new sequential presentations of the elements. Theelements can be obtained from a local medium such as a CD, or a videotape. Alternately, the elements can be obtained from a remote locationvia wired or wireless transmission. Elements can include audio workssuch as music or audio/visual works including advertisements, musicvideos or other types of elements.

The elements can be stored on a readable digital storage medium. Some orall of the elements can be played back or performed individually.

A collection of separate elements can be identified and arranged. Oneform of arrangement is a list. Another is a non-linear tree-likearrangement.

The collection can be played back or performed sequentially as specifiedin a list. Alternately, the elements can be performed interactively asspecified in a tree. In this embodiment, tree nodes represent decisionpoints for a viewer or a listener.

A graphically-oriented editor is provided for building or editing listsor trees. The lists or trees can be stored and subsequently retrievedfor editing or performing the collected media elements.

Output can, in one aspect, be an audible or a visible performance of theelements in accordance with a selected list or tree. In another aspect,the collection can be written to a medium. Hence, a CD or other digitalmedium can be written, or audio or video tapes can be recorded. Theoutput medium is not a limitation of the invention.

In yet another aspect, a system incorporating a card reader or a vendingunit can be used to build a list of elements. In this instance anappropriate credit needs to be established before an element can beadded to an on-going collection being performed.

Subsequent to a credit being established and a selection or selectionsmade in accordance with the credit, elements can be added to the listand performed. Elements can be exclusively audio. Alternately, elementscan include both audio and video components without limitation.

In yet another aspect, the method includes building a list of mediaelements which can come from a variety of sources. Preferably, the mediaelements are storable in a digital format.

Subsequently, the list can be reviewed visually by a user and eithermodified or edited for the purpose of creating a sequence of mediaelements to be replayed or presented. Subsequently, the list is executedand the elements are either presented audibly or visually or both inaccordance with their characteristics.

In a further aspect, a digitized inventory of media elements can becreated by either reading a local digital medium, such as a CD ROM or byreceiving, via wireless transmission, digitized sequence of works whichcan then be stored in the inventory. If desired, the user can previewsome or all of any element in the inventory.

Numerous other advantages and features of the present invention willbecome readily apparent from the following detailed description of theinvention and the embodiments thereof, from the claims and from theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an overall flow diagram of a method in accordance with thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a system useable for practicing the methodof FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3A through 3P taken together illustrate a flow diagram of acontrol program useable with the system of FIG. 2;

FIGS. 4A through 4K illustrate various screens presentable by thecontrol program illustrated in FIGS. 3A through 3P;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a system intended to receive audio orvisual works from a remote source;

FIG. 6 is a diagram of a system intended to provide a custom writtenmedium of works obtained from a remote source and in response toestablishing a predetermined credit; and

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a system for presenting works on demandfrom either a local or a remote source.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many differentforms, there are shown in the drawing and will be described herein indetail specific embodiments thereof with the understanding that thepresent disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of theprinciples of the invention and is not intended to limit the inventionto the specific embodiments illustrated.

Systems and methods which embody the present invention enable the userto acquire, for example, digitized audio or audio and video works, whichare of interest and which are to be represented either in real time asan audio or an audio/visual work or to be written onto a digital storagemedium as part of a sequence selected by the user. Functional capabilityis provided enabling the user to create one or more composite play orpresentation lists which incorporate a plurality of titles ordesignations of the works in a user selected order. The works could comefrom a variety of different sources and could include other types ofsensory outputs without limitation.

As part of the list preparation process, the user can listen to or viewsome or all of any of the works. A new list can be graphically created.An existing list can be edited to revise existing works identified inthe list, change the order of presentation or to add new ones.Subsequently, the list can be executed and the works performed.

Execution of the list will present the works in the determinedsequential order audibly or visually and audibly depending on the natureof the work. Alternately, the works represented on the list can bewritten to a digital storage medium, such as a CD or DVD for subsequentpresentation.

FIG. 1 illustrates steps of a method 10 for preparing executableplaylists in accordance with one aspect of the invention. In an initialstep, selected audio or video elements can be loaded into a digitaldatabase, a media inventory, for review and subsequent presentation.Media elements can be obtained from locally played sources or bywireless signals received from a remote source, such as via an antenna,which are demodulated and stored in digital form in the media inventory.

In the next step, a plurality of playlists can be created by graphicallyselecting media elements to be entered into a selected list from theinventory. As part of the step, one or more playlist records can bebuilt and stored.

In a subsequent step, the lists in the playlist database can be viewedand various reports concerning the subject list can be created.

In a subsequent step, one or more of the lists can be graphically editedthereupon rearranging items in a list, adding items or deleting items asdesired.

Finally, a particular list can be selected and executed. Audio works arepresented sequentially, in accordance with the selected list, via audiooutput transducers, typically speakers. Video works or audio/video worksor presented in accordance with the selected list on a video display incombination with speakers.

If desired, a selected list or lists can be written to a storage mediumsuch as a CD ROM for later use. If desired, the associated mediaelements can also be written on to the medium.

A variety of services can be provided to a user while carrying out thesteps of the method 10. Analysis can be conducted of the characteristicsof various works. For example, beats per minute can be determined andaudio works can be sorted accordingly. A list or lists can be created inaccordance with a pre-selected tempo or beats per minute.

Sorting or selecting based on other features of audio or videocharacteristics of the works can also be included. Presentations via aselected list can be controlled based on selected features.

For record keeping purposes, the number of times a given media elementis presented or executed can be logged along with date and timeinformation. Reports reflecting any lists created based on any of theabove selection features or characteristics can also be printed forinvoicing, billing or royalty payment purposes.

FIG. 2 illustrates in block diagram form a system 10′ for implementingthe method 10 of FIG. 1. The system 10′ incorporates a programmableprocessor 12 a, for example, a personal computer of a selected variety.Coupled to the processor 12 a is a mass digital storage medium 12 b,such as a hard disk drive for storage of various databases and programs.

Coupled to the processor 12 a is a source of digitized audio oraudio/visual input signals such as a CD ROM drive 12 c. Media elementsor works can also be received wirelessly. Also coupled to the processor12 a are user input devices such as a mouse 12 d and a keyboard 12 e.Other input devices could also be used without limitation.

Output devices include a display screen 12 f of a type conventionallyused with programmable processors to present visual display of ongoingprograms being executed to the user. A printer 12 g is available toprovide reports.

Audio and video output devices for media elements include speakers 14 aand video output device 14 b which can be of a size and quality suitablefor the type of works being displayed. Other output devices could alsobe used.

The hardware components of the system 10′ interact in accordance withthe user inputs and under the control of a control program 16 stored inone of the storage devices 12 b.

The control program 16 includes pre-created commands for carrying outthe method 10 illustrated in FIG. 1. The control program 16 is describedin a set of flow diagrams illustrated in FIGS. 3A . . . 3M. FIGS. 4A-4Killustrate various exemplary displays presented on the display unit 12 fwhile the control program 16 is executing.

FIG. 3A illustrates the initial steps in reading a source of digitizedworks, such as a CD and in selecting either the record sequence, FIGS.3B, 3C, and 3D, the list player sequence FIGS. 3H and 3I, or theplaylist editor sequence FIGS. 3E, 3F and 3G. In step 100 adetermination is made if a CD is present in the drive 12 c. If so, theprogram 16 initiates record steps illustrated in FIGS. 3B, 3C and 3D. Ifnot, the playlist master database is checked in a step 101. If playlistshad previously been created, the playlist screen sequence is executed,FIGS. 3H and 3I in step 102. Alternately the editor sequence can beentered, FIGS. 3E, 3F and 3G in step 103.

With respect to the record sequence FIG. 3B, during the process ofrecording information off of the respective CD, in a step 110 an initialscreen, FIG. 4A is displayed. If the processor 12 a determines in a step112 that a CD is not present, then a CD missing display, FIG. 4B ispresented in a step 113.

In the event that a CD is present, in a step 114, information will beread off of it as to track numbers and play times and displayed in astep 116 as in FIG. 4C. In a step 118, the master CD database is checkedand if a corresponding record is found, in a step 120 the name of the CDis displayed, as indicated in FIG. 4C. Where tracks off of therespective CD had been previously recorded, in step 122, thatinformation will be retrieved from the track database and displayed alsoas illustrated in FIG. 4C. The length of each track, recording date,title artist and type of work all can be displayed.

With respect to FIGS. 3C and 3D, in a step 124 the control program 16determines whether or not the user has selected a track to play. If so,the selected track is played in a step 126. If desired, as illustratedin a step 126 a characteristics of the work such as beats per minute canbe computed and displayed for the user.

In a step 128, the control program 16 checks to determine whether or notthe user requested restart of a work at a specified point. If not thesystem determines in a step 130 if the user has selected one or moretracks to be recorded. If so, in a step 132, selected tracks arerecorded.

The system control program 16 also determines whether or not the userhas requested a deletion in a step 134 or requested that a new CD beloaded in a step 136, select options in a step 138, a tables function ina step 140 or an exit function in a step 142. In each of steps 136, 138,140 and 142, the requested respective procedure is carried out.

Where a user has selected the edit screen, illustrated in FIGS. 3E, 3Fand 3G, one or more pre-existing playlists can be retrieved and edited.In a step 150, a playlist selection menu is displayable by the controlprogram 16, in accordance with FIG. 4F. Using the selection menu aparticular playlist can be selected and the detail retrieved in a step152 for the selected playlist. The selected playlist can be displayedfor editing as illustrated in FIG. 4G in a step 154. For the convenienceof the user, the editor screen, FIG. 4G, illustrates in an uppersection, an inventory list of available works currently in inventorywhich can be selected and entered into the destination playlist, in thelower portion of the display illustrated on FIG. 4G.

As illustrated in FIG. 3F, in a step 160, a user can edit or reviseselections or the sequence of selections in the subject list using aneditor selection screen as illustrated in FIG. 4H. In the event that theuser requested a change in the play sequence in a step 162, an updateprocedure is executed in a step 164 corresponding to FIG. 3D and FIG.41. It will be understood that standard editing-type functions will beavailable to the user as would be known to those of skill in the art.

In a step 166 the user can request that a particular selected work beplayed or presented. The works can be restarted in a step 168 at aparticular point.

The user can insert a work or a song in playlist in a step 170. Withrespect to FIG. 3G, a work or song can be moved within the playlist in astep 172. A particular song or work can be removed from the selectedplaylist in a step 174. The entire playlist can be deleted in a step176.

In the event that the user desires to select a particular playlist forexecution, in a step 102, FIG. 3A, the playlist master database is readin a step 200, FIG. 3H. The playlist player selection menu FIG. 4J isdisplayed in a step 202. If the user selects a playlist in a step 204,the playlist detail is read from the appropriate database in a step 206.The selected playlist is then displayed, FIG. 4K, in a step 208.

With respect to FIG. 3I, the user can exit the player screen sequence orcan request execution of the playlist in a step 210 at the beginning ofthe list or at a specified work or song. The list is then executed in astep 212.

In the event that one or more reports are to be created using theprinter 12 g, the process of FIG. 3J can be used to request reports asto existing playlists in a step 230. Alternately, the user can request areport of the existing inventory of media elements in a step 232.

Screen selection is carried out in accordance with the processillustrated in FIG. 3K. Updating of data from the record screen iscarried out in a process illustrated in FIG. 3L.

FIG. 3M illustrates steps associated with carrying out requests forvarious optional functions. For example, in a step 240 an option screen,FIG. 4D, can be displayed for a user.

The user can subsequently in a step 242 change the record options. Inthe event that the user in a step 244 selects a record directory, therecord directory screen FIG. 4E can be displayed in a step 246. Thedisplayed screen can be altered by the user in a step 248. The revisedrecord options can be stored in a step 250 for subsequent use.

FIG. 3N illustrates steps of a process wherein the user is able toselect and display various tables. In a step 260 an artist table can bedisplayed and edited in a step 262. In a step 266 the type table can bedisplayed and edited in a step 268. In a step 270, the CD table can bedisplayed and edited in a step 272. The track table can be displayed ina step 276 and edited in a step 278.

FIG. 3O illustrates the steps in a process of saving the playlistscreen, FIG. 4I. In a step 290 the playlist save screen is displayed. Ina step 292, if the user has selected to save the existing playlist, thechanges are written to the respective database in a step 294. If theuser elected to save the new playlist in a step 296, the changes arewritten to the new playlist database in a step 298. Finally, the usercan discard the changes and exit in a step 300.

FIG. 3P illustrates the steps of a procedure for deleting a selectedwork or track.

Hence, as described above, the system 10′ can be used to create new ormodified playlists, and execute same thereby presenting the sequence ofworks to a user. Alternately, pre-existing playlists can be edited andadditional new playlists created which then subsequently be executed.

Those of skill in the art will understand that other functions asillustrated in FIGS. 3A-3P will also be provided by the control program16. Attached hereto is a preferred data structure for use with the flowdiagrams of FIGS. 3A-3P.

FIGS. 5 through 7 illustrate alternate types of list building systems.FIG. 5 illustrates a system 10-1 which is a network based playlistcreating and executing system. The system 10-1 incorporates a remotesource 20 of works which are to be assembled and played or presented ata user's unit or terminal 22. The unit 20 is intended to be an elementor a location accessible via a network. For example, the unit 20 can bea location on an intranet or the internet or any other network. It canbe accessed via a land line or wireless communication link 24 withoutlimitation.

The system 20 incorporates a processor 20 a, and databases 20 b. Thedatabases 20 b include stored digital representations of a variety ofworks which can be obtained off of local drives, such as the drive 20 cwithout limitation. The remote system operator has available standardinput control devices such as mouse 20 d, keyboard 20 e or other desiredinput devices. A display screen 20 f of the conventional variety is alsoprovided. The remote system 20 also includes an optional printer 20 gfor purposes of creating hard copy reports for invoicing, billing orroyalty payment purposes without limitation.

The system 20 provides a remote pre-stored inventory which the unit 22can access via communication link 24. The unit 20 provides supervisoryand billing services in response to requests by the end user's unit 22for access to one or more of the works stored in the inventory in thedatabases 20 b.

Subsequent to the request being authorized, the selected works can bemade available to the terminal 22 via the communication link 24. Theunit 22 can in turn be used as described previously to create newplaylists, edit existing lists and then execute the lists under thecontrol of the local end user. The terminal 22 is especially convenientfor the end user in that the works can all be acquired electronicallyand there is absolutely no need for acquiring and keeping a plurality ofCDs.

If desired, processor 12 a in system 10-1 can keep track of the numberof plays and total play time and transmit that information to processor20 a, for billing purposes. Reports producible by the processor 20 ainclude total plays and play time along with invoices for end users.Documentation for royalty payments to the appropriate recipients canalso be created. Finally, the reports can list those works by demand orpopularity by day, week or month.

FIG. 6 illustrates a system 10-2 which includes a remote source, such asthe remote source 20 and a local terminal 22-1. Terminal 22-1 includeselements similar to the terminal 22 previously discussed. Correspondingelements are identified with the same identification numeral.

The terminal 22-1 additionally includes a credit establishing input suchas a credit card reader 30. The reader 30 can be used by a user to makea credit card account number available to the terminal 22-1 for billingpurposes.

Once a credit line has been established, the user will be able to usethe terminal 22-1 to create and/or modify one or more playlists intowrite the selected media elements via an output drive 32 to a removablemedium 34 which could be a CD or a DVD.

The terminal 10-2 could be located in a business establishment and usersinterested in obtaining a custom combination of works can access theservices of the terminal 22-1 via the reader 30 for purposes of creatingand writing the desired sequence of works on the medium 34. Otherservices made available by the terminal 22 can also be made available bythe terminal 22-1 in response to the established credit line.

Additional services that can be made available by the terminal 22-1include printing invoices via the printer 12 g. Report information canbe transmitted to the system 20 for billing purposes with respect to thecommercial establishment where the terminal 22-1 is located as well asmaking royalty payments to appropriate recipients.

FIG. 7 illustrates an alternate system 10-3 which can be used forentertainment purposes in public establishments. The system 10-3provides jukebox-like services at the terminal 22-2. These are under thesupervision and control of remote system 20.

The terminal 22-2 includes a credit establishing device which could be acoin or a bill receiving unit 40 of a type used with vending machines.Alternately, the unit 40 could also accept credit cards if desired.

Upon establishing an appropriate credit via the unit 40, the terminal22-2 enables a user to select one or more works whose titles might bedisplayed on the control screen 12 f via the input devices 12 d, 12 e.

The selected works could be resident at the local database 12 b or couldbe acquired from the remote unit 20 via the communication link asdiscussed previously. The system 22-2, unlike conventional jukeboxes,has an unlimited selection of audio or audio/video works available to itvia communication link 24. In addition, for security purposes, theterminal 22-2 does not include an inventory of valuable CD or DVD media.The works could include audio works, such as music, audio/visual workssuch as advertisements, music videos or others.

The terminal 22-2 presents a rolling playlist on the screen 12 f whichcan be reviewed by the end user or individual selecting the works to bepresented. Newly selected or identified works are added at the end ofthe playlist and are presented via speakers 12 a and video output 12 bin sequence depending on the nature of the work. Hence, the terminal22-2 makes possible the presentation of arbitrarily selected works, inan arbitrary order in response to the credit established by the unit 40.

The remote system 20 via the link 24 monitors the works being presentedand the frequency thereof. Billing information can be generated forpurposes of charging the entity where the terminal 22-2 is located foreach work which is presented. Reports can be produced at the system 20identifying royalties to be paid to the appropriate recipients based onthe works selected for presentation at the terminal 22-2 or for anyother desired purpose. It will be understood that the appropriate filetype would be used with the appropriate type of work.

From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous variations andmodifications may be effected without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention. It is to be understood that no limitation withrespect to the specific apparatus illustrated herein is intended orshould be inferred. It is, of course, intended to cover by the appendedclaims all such modifications as fall within the scope of the claims.

DATA STRUCTURE Table Field Name Data Type Master CD Number Long IntegerCreated by the track times CD Title Text 50 Track CD Number Long IntegerLink to Master CD table Track Byte Track number found on the CD ArtistCode Integer Link to the Artist table Type Code Long Integer Link to theType table Track Title Text 50 Track Time Long Integer Actual timerecorded in seconds File Name Text 255 Path/File Name of stored WAV fileBeats Integer Beats per minute Playlist Master Number Counter Databaseassigned key Title Text 50 Playlist Detail Integer Link to Playlisttable Number Play Order Integer Order the track was placed within theplaybook CD Number Long Integer Link to Track table Track Byte Link toTrack table Artist Artist Code Counter Database assigned Artist indexArtist Name Text 255 Type Type Code Counter Program assigned index toMusic Type Music Type Text 50

The invention claimed is:
 1. A system for building a playlist comprisinga list of digital audio and/or video works stored in an inventory ofdigital audio and/or video works, comprising: a processor; a digitalstorage medium operatively associated with said processor for storingsaid inventory of digital audio and/or video works; a databasecomprising a plurality of records, each of said records associated withone of said digital audio and/or video works, each record including atitle field, an artist field, a type field and a date recorded field;said record also including a comment field consisting of a plurality ofcharacters; a user interface, including a display, operativelyassociated with said processor, for enabling a user to write and storecomments associated with respective selected digital audio and/or videoworks on said digital storage medium; said user interface furtherenabling a user to select digital audio and/or video works from saidinventory of digital audio and/or video works; said processor, inresponse to said user selection, building a displayable playlistcomprising said user-selected digital audio and/or video works; adisplay operatively associated with said processor for displaying atleast a portion of said playlist, including displaying said storedcomments associated with respective user-selected digital audio and/orvideo works; said playlist being executable by a user, whereby saidprocessor plays one or more digital audio and/or video works identifiedtherein; and said playlist further being nameable and storable on adigital storage medium for subsequent execution and/or editing.
 2. Amethod for building a playlist comprising a list of digital audio and/orvideo works stored in an inventory of digital audio and/or video works,comprising: digitally storing said inventory of digital audio and/orvideo works on a digital storage medium, said digital storage mediumcomprising a plurality of records, each of said records associated withone of said digital audio and/or video works, each record including atitle field, an artist field, a type field and a date recorded field;said record also including a comment field consisting of a plurality ofcharacters; displaying at least a portion of said list of digital audioand/or video works; selecting at least one of said digital audio and/orvideo works identified in said list; writing and storing user commentsassociated with said selected audio and/or video works to said digitalstorage medium; building a displayable playlist comprising at least someof said selected digital audio and/or video works; displaying at least aportion of said playlist, including displaying said user commentsassociated with respective user-selected digital audio and/or videoworks; executing said playlist, whereby said processor plays one or moredigital audio and/or video works identified therein; and naming andstoring said playlist for subsequent execution and/or editing.
 3. Anapparatus for building a playlist comprising a list of digital audioand/or video works stored in an inventory of digital audio and/or videoworks, comprising: a processor; a digital storage medium operativelyassociated with said processor for storing said inventory of digitalaudio and/or video works; a database comprising a plurality of records,each of said records associated with one of said digital audio and/orvideo works, each record including a title field, an artist field, atype field and a date recorded field; said record also including acomment field consisting of a plurality of characters; a user interface,including a display, operatively associated with said processor, forenabling a user to write and store comments associated with respectiveselected digital audio and/or video works on said digital storagemedium; said user interface further enabling a user to select digitalaudio and/or video works from said inventory of digital audio and/orvideo works; said processor, in response to said user selection,building a displayable playlist comprising said user-selected digitalaudio and/or video works; a display operatively associated with saidprocessor for displaying at least a portion of said playlist, includingdisplaying said stored comments associated with respective user-selecteddigital audio and/or video works; said playlist being executable by auser, whereby said processor plays one or more digital audio and/orvideo works identified therein; and said playlist further being nameableand storable in a digital storage medium for subsequent execution and/orediting.